The XP-87 "Blackhawk" was Curtiss's only all
jet powered aircraft, as well as the last aircraft produced by the Curtiss
company. Known by Curtiss as Model 29A, the XP-87 was first ordered by the
USAAF at the beginning of 1945 with a contract for two prototypes, designed
specifically for the attack roll under the designation XA-43 (Model 29).
In March that year the USAAF announced a competition for a jet engineered
replacement for the Northrop P-61 "Black Widow" night fighter,
Curtiss proposed adapting the XA-43 specifically for the roll with the company
designation of Model 29A. The Army initially favored the 29A ordered two
prototypes. The XA-43 was canceled and all funds as well as the serial numbers
for the two prototypes were transferred to the Model 29A with the designation
of XP-87 and name "Blackhawk".

A large number of design changes relating to the armament
were under taken, initially it was to have been fitted with two automtaically-operated
nose and tail turrets armed with 2x 0.50 machine guns and internally mounted
rockets (Model 29) this was then changed to a novel nose turret fitted
with 4x 20mm cannons which would allow firing angles of zero to 90 degrees
(Model 29A)

Finally the first prototype was ready in 1948! taking
to the air on 4/3/1948 with the second soon afterwards, but time did not
wait for Curtiss and the contract was canceled on the 10/10/1948 in favor
of the newer and more potential Northrop F-89 "Scorpion". This
was the end of the line for Curtiss Company's aeroplane division with
all the assets being sold to North American Aviation.